Federal Drug Conviction Provision

The drug conviction provision constitutes a student eligibility requirement contained in the Higher Education Act (HEA) effective July 1, 2000. It provides that a student's eligibility for Federal student aid is suspended if the student is convicted, under Federal or State law, of any offense involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance (generally meaning illegal drugs, but not including alcohol or tobacco). The State of Iowa and Cornell College also have instituted policies that follow the same eligibility guidelines as the federal policy.

Any such suspension of Federal, State or Institutional Student Aid eligibility begins on the date of the conviction and lasts until the end of a statutorily specified period. The suspension ranges from one year to indefinite, depending upon the number and type of convictions. A student may regain Student aid eligibility early by completing a drug rehabilitation program that meets certain statutory and regulatory requirements (including two unannounced drug tests), or if the conviction is overturned. For more information about the Drug Conviction regulation, please contact the Financial Assistance Office at 319-895-4216.